Policies and procedures

These documents provide support and guidance for those working with children and young people in a Quaker setting.

The policies, procedures and guidance documents were revised in March 2015. If you are responsible for activities with children or young people and would like a copy which can be adapted, please contact the CYP Administrator cypadmin@quaker.org.uk or 020 7663 1013.

In the process of adapting these documents remember to check that you are meeting the requirements of your insurers, your organisation and the venue that you are using.

Policy areas

Equalities

The equal opportunities check list provides a starting point for incorporating equal opportunities into work with children and young people. This check list includes a summary of Britain Yearly Meetings statement of equal opportunities, the policy which governs centrally managed work.

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Equal opportunities check list

Volunteer involvement

The volunteer involvement policy sets out the procedures and guidance to manage and support volunteers in their service. This includes the responsibilities of the organisation and also the responsibilities of the volunteers.

How to implement the volunteer involvement policy is outlined in the document “Processes". Further guidance is included in the documents “Volunteer references" and “Complaints procedures". Additional guidance on working with young people as volunteers can be found in the “Guidelines for working with young people as volunteers". Role outlines and forms are provided as examples of the questions that might be asked and process to follow when recruiting and appointing volunteers.

Example volunteer agreement forms

Example volunteer induction

Participation

Participation is about engaging with the experiences and concerns of young Quakers who are active members of the Quaker community and organisation. It is about ensuring children and young people are heard and have the opportunity to contribute to Quakers.

The participation policy outlines how we are committed to do this. A theological basis for young Quakers' participation in decision making gives a theological and spiritual basis for the inclusion of children and young people in Quaker decision making process at all levels, including Quaker meetings for worship for church affairs.

Participation documents

Safeguarding

Meeting Safety gives an overview of safeguarding policy within Quaker meetings in Britain and information about theChurches' Child Protection Advisory Service which is used by Britain Yearly Meeting for advice and guidance. Advice on obtaining criminal records disclosures is also given in this document.

Guidance on what to do in the event of a disclosure details what to do in the event of a disclosure of abuse being made at a Britain Yearly Meeting event for Children and Young People. This document can be adapted for use by those responsible for activities with children or young people.

Safeguarding documents

Event and activity management

This policy covers a range of procedures and guidance which ensure that legal obligations and insurance requirements are met. It enables those running events to follow good practice and to take reasonable care to work in safe ways while considering the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of children and young people.

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Full event and activity management policy

Procedures detail the measures that staff and / or volunteers are required to undertake, whether this is a legal obligation or an insurance condition. Guidance reflects good working practice and is based on cumulative experience. It seeks to address questions and issues that may arise in planning and running events.